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Friday, December 13, 2013

131) Learn Lessons - To express love

"When there is no love, put love and there you will find love." Saint John of the Cross.

At a nursing home for the aged, a deeply despondent old woman sat day after day on her creaking rocking chair, rocking herself to boredom. She would not speak to anyone or ask for any form of help. Watching her a wise young nurse decided to do something. She pulled up a chair and just sat beside the old woman. Not a word was exchanged. They just sat for a time. The nurse smiled at the old woman as she left. The routine continued for months. On Christmas Day, as the nurse was leaving, the old woman whispered: "Thank You", and smiled at the nurse. The unspoken act of love of the nurse put a spark into the life of the old woman. After that she began to mix with others in the home.

Do we express love to those at home, who need such affirmation - an old parent who feels unloved; a child who feels alone even in the company of others; a spouse who feels neglected? Do we spot a similar problem in the work place? In the neighborhood? We are busy with our own thoughts and plans, that we do not make time for others - to lift them out of their sadness. If only we tried, we would be surprised at the kind of response we get. Our children, watching us bring light into the dark world of others, will try to do something similar for other children who need help. Inspired by our powerful example they would bring warmth into the cold lives of others. And as they grow, they will make a difference to others, much to their delight and edification of others.

With Christmas - the feast of goodwill - a few days away, can we make a beginning?

Let me wish you and your family a peace-filled and blessed Christmas and an eventful 2014!

The Author

Quotes on Parenting

"What gift has Providence bestowed on man that is so dear to him as his children?" Cicero.

"Dads don't need to be tall and broad-shouldered and handsome and clever.Love makes them so." Pam Brown.

"The best combination of parents consists of a father who is gentle beneath his firmness,and a mother who is firm beneath her gentleness." Sydney Harris.

Extracts from a Prayer of General MacArthur

Build me a son, O Lord, who will be strong enough to know when he is weak and brave enough to face himself when he is afraid; one who will be proud and unbending in honest defeat; humble and gentle in victory. Build me a son who will know thee and know that to know himself is the foundation stone of knowledge.Let him learn to stand up in a storm; here let him know compassion for those who fall. Let him master himself before he seeks to master other men. Let him reach into the future, yet never forget the past. Let him always be serious, yet never take himself too seriously. Give him humility, so that he may always remember the simplicity of true greatness; the open mind of true wisdom and the meekness of true strength. Then I his father willdare to whisper: 'I have not lived in vain'.

Extracts from Abraham Lincoln's letter to his son's teacher

He will have to learn that all men are not just; all men are not true. But teach him that for every enemy, there is a friend. Let him learn early that bullies are the easiest to lick. Teach him that it is far more honourable to fail, than to cheat. Teach him to sell his brawn and brain to the highest bidder, but never put a price tag on his heart and soul. Teach him always to have sublime faith in himself.

"On Bringing Up Children"

" Your children are not your children.They are sons and daughters of life's longing for itself.And it is your awesome responsibility to pass the torch of civilization to them.Teach them to think. To wonder. To dream. To meet triumph and disaster equally. Teach them the difference between flattery and praise. Teach them the joy of a sunset. The joy of sharing. The joy of discovering the unknown.More than anything else teach them to WALK TALL"-Khalil Gibran